Foods, Ready to Distribute (FRDs)

Home.

Amazon links are provided for convenience. Everything listed should be cheaper to find locally. Shoplifting is encouraged.

Total Cost (without Entree or Desert) = $1.99 | Cost of a Mcdonald's Cheeseburger = $2.25

For an additional dollar, you can add a fresh pair of socks to the FRD. Socks are one of the most important things for anyone in the trenches. Link

Paperbag - 9 cents

This is what you'll put everything into.
Can be reused for a variety of things, namely to cover beer cans when drinking in public.
Public drinking is one of the most common ways the police imprison homeless people. Amazon

Water Bottle - 12 cents

Buy locally, much cheaper.
Fresh water is important, hydration is key.
If possible, get bottles with a good cap to increase reusablity.

Drink Flavor Package - 25 cents

Drinking nothing but tap water all day gets old fast.
Drink packets provide variety as well as an additional way to get electrolytes into your system.
Electrolytes are critical, both because of the often habitual drinking among the homeless and due the amount of foot travel they do. Amazon

Instant Coffee Packet - 14 cents

Coffee is absolutely a comfort product.
If you're knee deep in the trenchs, it's raining and you're miserable, all of that can be improved with a cup of warm coffee.Amazon

Two pieces of Gum - 12 cents

Sugar free xylitol gum is preferred due to it’s teeth cleaning properties. Dental issues plague the homeless.
Additionally, gum helps subdue hunger. This could be the only meal these people receive that day. Amazon

Hot sauce packet - 5 cents

Hot sauce is essential. It can help spice up bland gas station food.
Homeless people often rely on cold meals or meals that can be microwaved at convenience stores.
This can get old fast, add some spice to it. Amazon

Pepper/Salt packet - 3 cents

Self explanatory. Salt can also be used to supplement electrolytes when mixed with water.Amazon

Spork - 13 cents

Sporks are the go to because they are versatile. Go with bamboo to limit the environmental impact.Amazon

1 Bundle of Saline Cracker - 5 cents

Saltines provide a quick shelf stable snack as well as a carb load for additonal energy.
Homeless people are often on the move, walking miles daily. Can also be eaten with the entree for additional calories.
Individual packets are fine, but it is cheaper to buy a regular box and break it down yourself.Amazon

1 Cup of Noodle - 46 cents

Cup of noodle can be made at any gas station or convenience store that offers hot water, most do.
The cup can also be reused. Shelf stable, no refrigeration needed. Broth can be sipped as well.Amazon

1 Insulated cup and lid - 25 cents

Get some cheap coffee cups. Not only can they be reused, they will keep the meal warmer longer than plastic tupperware or other storage meals.
Easy to travel with as well.Amazon

Matchbook - 9 cents

Matches aren't needed until they are. It's a really cheap addition that comes in very handy if your lighter stops working.Amazon

1 Fresh Fruit - Bananas - 21 cents

Bananas are one of the cheapest fruits. They don’t need to be cleaned and come in their own Eco-friendly packaging.
They also contain potassium which is an essential electrolyte.

1 Fresh Entrée

I recommend something stew like in nature.
Homeless people often have dental issues that prevent the consumption of hard foods. However, soup kitchens exist, so serving soup will be boring.
Gumbo is a great choice as it’s both cheap to make, easy to make in bulk and calorie dense while also being a bit out of the ordinary.
Pot roast is another good choice. Vegan meals are also encouraged, homeless people have preferences too.

1 Desert

Baked brownies are always a hit and are extremely cheap to make in large quanities.
If you have access to cannabis they are easy to turn into edibles as well. If you do however, make sure you offer the choice between the two.

Small Bundle of Toilet Paper - 7 cents

Literally a bundle toilet paper. Buy a bulk pack of rolls, break it down by hand. It’s self explanatory.